Texans’ Keenum says ‘pissed off’ team wants to finish season strong

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Texans quarterback Case Keenum believes the NFL’s worst team could be trouble for their final three opponents.

Keenum said Wednesday the 2-11 Texans are “pissed off” and know they’ve already been counted out. With two AFC South rivals (Indianapolis, Tennessee) and Peyton Manning’s Denver Broncos still on the schedule during what has thus far been a lost season, Keenum thinks the Texans could surprise at the end of 2013.

“We’ve got nothing to lose and I think that’s pretty scary for other teams,” Keenum said at Reliant Stadium. “Because we’re really talented and have nothing to lose, and I think a lot of guys are pissed off. So, that’s kind of a scary combination.”

He added: “I probably shouldn’t say (pissed). My mom’s probably going to be mad because I used that word.”

Keenum hasn’t been “watching his back,” the last month, despite ex-coach Gary Kubiak twice benching the former undrafted rookie in favor for the more experienced and proven Matt Schaub. But Keenum acknowledged it can’t hurt having owner Bob McNair name him the starter for the remainder of the season.

“That’s just kind of how this job is, whether you’re producing or not,” Keenum said. “It’s about productivity, especially at quarterback. That’s what I try to go out to do. That’s my job. It’s my job to keep us on the field on third downs and score touchdowns.”

He acknowledged there hasn’t been much “normalcy” for the 2013 Texans, who’ve lost a franchise-record 11 consecutive games and watched two key coaches depart in the last week. Keenum compared the run to his up-and-down redshirt freshman year at the University of Houston. But he knows the NFL stage and the constant challenges the Texans have faced are another world.

“This is pretty different. … But I think everybody’s making the best of it,” Keenum said. “And, honestly, we’re really ready to get out and go compete and go play. When it all comes down to it, there’s a lot of outside factors that are going on. The best thing for us is just to go out and play football.”

As for the team’s frustration, Keenum said there are many reasons for the Texans’ anger. Constant losing tops the list.

“Nobody likes not winning,” he said. “We all feel like we’re a really good football team and we just need to finish.”